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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2

Portability
91
Imaging
33
Features
25
Overall
29
Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 front
 
Pentax Optio WG-2 front
Portability
91
Imaging
39
Features
37
Overall
38

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Key Specs

Panasonic ZS1
(Full Review)
  • 10MP - 1/2.5" Sensor
  • 2.7" Fixed Display
  • ISO 100 - 6400
  • Optical Image Stabilization
  • 640 x 480 video
  • 25-300mm (F3.3-4.9) lens
  • 229g - 103 x 60 x 33mm
  • Launched May 2009
  • Also referred to as Lumix DMC-TZ6
Pentax WG-2
(Full Review)
  • 16MP - 1/2.3" Sensor
  • 3" Fixed Display
  • ISO 125 - 6400
  • 1920 x 1080 video
  • 28-140mm (F3.5-5.5) lens
  • 192g - 122 x 61 x 30mm
  • Introduced February 2012
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Overview

On this page, we are matching up the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2, former being a Small Sensor Superzoom while the other is a Waterproof by manufacturers Panasonic and Pentax. There exists a substantial gap among the image resolutions of the ZS1 (10MP) and WG-2 (16MP) and the ZS1 (1/2.5") and WG-2 (1/2.3") provide totally different sensor sizes.

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The ZS1 was launched 3 years before the WG-2 and that is a fairly big difference as far as camera technology is concerned. Both the cameras have the same body design (Compact).

Before we go straight to a more detailed comparison, here is a brief view of how the ZS1 matches up versus the WG-2 with respect to portability, imaging, features and an overall rating.

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Reasons to pick Panasonic ZS1 over the Pentax WG-2

 ZS1 WG-2 

Reasons to pick Pentax WG-2 over the Panasonic ZS1

 WG-2 ZS1 
IntroducedFebruary 2012May 2009Fresher by 33 months
Manually focus Very precise focusing
Display dimensions3"2.7"Larger display (+0.3")
Display resolution460k230kClearer display (+230k dot)

Common features in the Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax WG-2

 ZS1 WG-2 
Display typeFixed Fixed Fixed display
Selfie screen Lacking selfie screen
Touch display Lacking Touch display

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Physical Comparison

If you are intending to carry your camera often, you are going to need to take into account its weight and proportions. The Panasonic ZS1 provides exterior measurements of 103mm x 60mm x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") having a weight of 229 grams (0.50 lbs) and the Pentax WG-2 has measurements of 122mm x 61mm x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2") having a weight of 192 grams (0.42 lbs).

Look at the Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 in our brand new Camera plus Lens Size Comparison Tool. Camera Size Comparison with Lenses

Always remember, the weight of an ILC will change dependant on the lens you are working with during that time. Here is a front view measurements comparison of the ZS1 vs the WG-2.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 size comparison

Factoring in dimensions and weight, the portability rating of the ZS1 and WG-2 is 91 and 91 respectively.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 top view buttons comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Sensor Comparison

More often than not, its hard to envision the contrast in sensor sizing just by looking through specifications. The photograph underneath should give you a stronger sense of the sensor measurements in the ZS1 and WG-2.

Plainly, both cameras have different resolutions and different sensor sizing. The ZS1 due to its smaller sensor will make shooting shallower DOF more difficult and the Pentax WG-2 will provide you with greater detail utilizing its extra 6 Megapixels. Greater resolution will help you crop pics a bit more aggressively. The older ZS1 will be disadvantaged in sensor innovation.

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 sensor size comparison

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and ViewFinder

Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Screen and Viewfinder comparison
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Photography Type Scores

Portrait Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Portrait photography information
Pentax WG-2 Portrait photography information
25
provides face detection focus
focusing manually not possible
lack of manual mode
external flash not possible
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
40
has manual focus
good MP (16MP)
includes face detect focus
manual mode not possible
no external flash support
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Street Comparison

Street photography with Panasonic ZS1
Street photography with Pentax WG-2
60
image stabilization (Optical)
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
no moving screen
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
54
environment proofing
no articulating screen
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
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Sports Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Sports photography details
Pentax WG-2 Sports photography details
24
image stabilization (Optical)
painfully slow continuous shooting (3.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no phase detect auto focus
38
good MP (16 megapixels)
includes tracking focus
environment proofing
very slow continuous shooting (1.0 frames per second)
no shutter priority mode
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no phase detect auto focus
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Travel Comparison

Travel photography with Panasonic ZS1
Travel photography with Pentax WG-2
63
lighter than competitors (229g)
has built in flash
reasonably wide (25mm)
great zoom (300mm)
does not have Time Lapse mode
low resolution sensor (10 megapixels)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
70
environment proofing
good MP (16MP)
has built in flash
relatively wide (28mm)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
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Landscape Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Landscape photography info
Pentax WG-2 Landscape photography info
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
focusing manually not possible
lens is fixed (fixed lens mount)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
screen is somewhat small (2.7 inches)
lack of manual mode
low resolution sensor (10MP)
small sensor (1/2.5")
has no RAW support
does not have Time Lapse mode
47
has manual focus
relatively wide (28mm)
screen size is good (3")
good MP (16 megapixels)
environment proofing
fixed lens (fixed lens mount)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
manual mode not possible
does not have image stabilization
small sensor size (1/2.3")
has no RAW support
Photography Glossary

Vlogging Comparison

Panasonic ZS1 Vlogging advice
Pentax WG-2 Vlogging advice
31
reasonably wide (25mm)
image stabilization (Optical)
provides face detection focus
lighter than competitors (229 grams)
sluggish max aperture (f3.3)
doesn't offer selfie friendly screen
video res low (640 x 480 resolution)
does not have external mic socket
30
relatively wide (28mm)
includes face detect focus
high res video (1920 x 1080 pxls)
sluggish maximum aperture (f3.5)
doesn't have selfie friendly display
does not have image stabilization
missing mic port
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Panasonic ZS1 vs Pentax WG-2 Specifications

Detailed spec comparison table for Panasonic ZS1 and Pentax WG-2
 Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1Pentax Optio WG-2
General Information
Manufacturer Panasonic Pentax
Model Panasonic Lumix DMC-ZS1 Pentax Optio WG-2
Alternative name Lumix DMC-TZ6 -
Class Small Sensor Superzoom Waterproof
Launched 2009-05-14 2012-02-07
Body design Compact Compact
Sensor Information
Sensor type CCD BSI-CMOS
Sensor size 1/2.5" 1/2.3"
Sensor dimensions 5.744 x 4.308mm 6.17 x 4.55mm
Sensor surface area 24.7mm² 28.1mm²
Sensor resolution 10 megapixels 16 megapixels
Anti aliasing filter
Aspect ratio 16:9, 4:3 and 3:2 1:1, 4:3 and 16:9
Maximum resolution 3648 x 2736 4288 x 3216
Maximum native ISO 6400 6400
Minimum native ISO 100 125
RAW format
Autofocusing
Focus manually
AF touch
Continuous AF
Single AF
AF tracking
AF selectice
AF center weighted
AF multi area
Live view AF
Face detect AF
Contract detect AF
Phase detect AF
Number of focus points 11 9
Lens
Lens mount fixed lens fixed lens
Lens focal range 25-300mm (12.0x) 28-140mm (5.0x)
Max aperture f/3.3-4.9 f/3.5-5.5
Macro focus range 3cm 1cm
Focal length multiplier 6.3 5.8
Screen
Display type Fixed Type Fixed Type
Display sizing 2.7 inch 3 inch
Resolution of display 230 thousand dot 460 thousand dot
Selfie friendly
Liveview
Touch screen
Display technology - Widescreen TFT color LCD with anti-reflective coating
Viewfinder Information
Viewfinder type None None
Features
Slowest shutter speed 60 seconds 4 seconds
Maximum shutter speed 1/2000 seconds 1/4000 seconds
Continuous shooting speed 3.0 frames/s 1.0 frames/s
Shutter priority
Aperture priority
Expose Manually
Set WB
Image stabilization
Integrated flash
Flash range 5.30 m (Auto ISO) 5.40 m
Flash options Auto, On, Off, Red-Eye reduction, Slow Sync Auto, On, Off, Red-eye, Soft
Hot shoe
Auto exposure bracketing
White balance bracketing
Exposure
Multisegment exposure
Average exposure
Spot exposure
Partial exposure
AF area exposure
Center weighted exposure
Video features
Supported video resolutions 848 x 480 (30 fps), 640 x 480 (30 fps), 320 x 240 (30 fps) 1920 x 1080 (30 fps), 1280 x 720 (60, 30 fps), 640 x 480 (30fps), 320 x 240 (30, 15 fps)
Maximum video resolution 640x480 1920x1080
Video data format Motion JPEG MPEG-4, H.264
Mic jack
Headphone jack
Connectivity
Wireless None Eye-Fi Connected
Bluetooth
NFC
HDMI
USB USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec) USB 2.0 (480 Mbit/sec)
GPS None None
Physical
Environmental seal
Water proof
Dust proof
Shock proof
Crush proof
Freeze proof
Weight 229 gr (0.50 pounds) 192 gr (0.42 pounds)
Physical dimensions 103 x 60 x 33mm (4.1" x 2.4" x 1.3") 122 x 61 x 30mm (4.8" x 2.4" x 1.2")
DXO scores
DXO All around score not tested not tested
DXO Color Depth score not tested not tested
DXO Dynamic range score not tested not tested
DXO Low light score not tested not tested
Other
Battery life - 260 pictures
Style of battery - Battery Pack
Battery model - D-LI92
Self timer Yes (2 or 10 sec) Yes (2 or 10 sec)
Time lapse feature
Storage media SD/MMC/SDHC card, Internal SD/SDHC/SDXC card, Internal
Storage slots 1 1
Retail cost $0 $350